Güstelitz: Estate History and Trails

For planning a trip to Güstelitz, two local themes offer inspiration: the history of the Alt Güstelitz estate and parts of the former Rügen narrow-gauge railway line, which are now used as hiking and cycling trails. This lets you include historic traces and time outdoors in your plans.

Alt Güstelitz and the Former Railway Line

The Alt Güstelitz estate has a varied history of ownership. It passed in turn through the von Scheelen, von Bohlen and von Platen families before being sold to the House of Putbus in 1785. An estate house was built around 1880. The remaining structures are said to have been removed around 1995. This sequence traces the estate’s transformation: from an estate under changing family ownership, through the construction of the house, to the later loss of the remaining buildings.

The former Rügen narrow-gauge railway is also part of the local story: Güstelitz was a stop on the line. Parts of the former route are now used for hiking and cycling. This brings together two different ways to explore the area—learning about the estate’s history and following trails that trace a former railway line. Route descriptions may change in detail; check the current route before setting out.

Putbus as the Broader Travel Destination

Putbus lies in southeastern Rügen, within the Southeast Rügen UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 1810, Prince Wilhelm Malte zu Putbus planned the town as a purpose-built residential town around the castle. This distinct urban and historical setting complements the local themes of Güstelitz. Putbus’s attractions and buildings should be considered separately.

The town’s neoclassical character includes an ensemble of whitewashed residential and commercial buildings around the Circus. The Palace Church was created by converting a former assembly hall in the park and was consecrated in 1892. The Marstall was built between 1821 and 1824 as a stable and coach house for the princely family; today it serves as a venue for the Rügen Festival. The Orangery hosts changing exhibitions by the Rügen Cultural Foundation, whose program may vary.

The cultural offerings also differ in focus: the repertoire at Putbus Theatre ranges from drama and musical theatre to cabaret, children’s performances, concerts and guest performances throughout the year. The Rügen Puppet and Toy Museum displays, among other things, dolls, toys, stuffed animals, tin soldiers, ships and model railways from three centuries. In this way, stage performances and collections offer distinct cultural experiences.

For time outdoors, the approximately 75-hectare Putbus Palace Park offers another perspective: it is designed as an English landscape garden and is one of the most significant surviving park landscapes in northern Germany. The easy Bodden loop is about 12 kilometers long. It starts in Putbus, passes through Lauterbach and the Goor Forest, and returns through the palace park; the route is flat, family-friendly and offers views of the Rügischer Bodden. Check trail conditions before cycling.

As another point of regional interest, the steam-powered Rasender Roland connects Putbus with Binz, Sellin, Baabe and Göhren. The narrow-gauge railway, with a track gauge of 750 millimeters, has been running since 1895; the line has a total of 24.2 kilometers of track. Timetables vary by season. Boat trips to Vilm are also available from Lauterbach, though availability may vary. Check the timetable and tour offerings before planning around these services.

Discover more destinations: Kasnevitz, Neuendorf, Groß-Stresow, Vilmnitz, Lonvitz, Pastitz, Lauterbach.

For the broader travel overview: Putbus.